Students at E.S. Laird Middle School recently got to try their hand at hockey as the Apex Automation Lakeland College Rustler’s women’s ice hockey team partnered up with the U15 AA Richardson Jewellery Steelers to help kids tie skates, stick handle, and shoot pucks on the outdoor rink behind the school. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Recognized as Canada’s national winter sport, hockey is a game played by young and old from all walks of life, but where does a love for the game come from?
That question was asked and answered at E.S. Laird Middle School last Thursday as students laced up some skates and took to the ice; a first for many in the group.
Hosted by E.S. teacher Morgan Mann, who also happens to coach the Apex Automation Lakeland College Rustlers women’s ice hockey team, the learn-to-skate-style event took place on the outdoor rink behind the school with instruction from the Rustlers and the U15 AA Richardson Jewellery Steelers.
Aside from basic skating skills, the Rustlers and Steelers helped students tie skates, work on puck control, and of course, perfect some clappers.
“The U15 Steelers and the Apex Automation Lakeland College Rustlers women’s hockey team applied for a grant with Hockey Alberta to grow the game of hockey, and more specifically, hockey and skating and the experience of being on the outdoor ice,” explained Mann.
“Our initiative was for students who have maybe never had this opportunity before. The two teams decided to join together, and we got a perfect day for it. This is also our first skate on our ODR here at E.S. Laird, and the ice is in great shape.”
Growing up playing the game and now coaching, Mann knows the life lessons and skills derived from the sport and wanted to share that with his students, many of whom weren’t born in Canada.
“We’re a global community here at E.S. Laird; we have students from all over the world,” said Mann.
“That global community makes for a great school and it’s a culture at our school now. For some of our students, this is their first winter in Canada, so when we get out on the ice to play the game we love, it gives them that first-time experience.”
Steelers Addison Moore and Jayce Miazga had a great time lending a hand on Thursday and noted it felt good to introduce fellow students to their favourite sport.
“We’ve been meeting lots of great people and it turned out to be a really nice day, too,” said Moore. “It feels pretty good to help give these kids this opportunity. The kids are so happy, and not all of them get this opportunity, so it’s nice.”
“It’s fun seeing them come out and being able to help them do what we do,” echoed Miazga. “We helped tie their skates and give them a few tips; it’s been really fun.”
Ethan Rasco, a Grade 7 student at E.S., whose family is originally from the Philippines, explained he had a great time on the ice and plans to get out on skates more often.
Lloydminster native and Rustlers forward Asha Petrie was one of many college athletes on hand during the event, who noted there may be some future Rustlers on the ice.
“It’s special,” she said. “I know some of these kids probably look up to us and some have never had this experience before, so us being able to do that and give back to the community is great; it’s nice.”
